Hamburg United Methodist Church 116 Union St Hamburg, New York, 14075 (716) 649-8080 Sundays at 10 am
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Dear Saints,
September is coming! I hear there’s another round of pizza and baseball from the United Methodist Men, scheduled for September 21, 2024. Summer has been busy! The Circuit and Hamburg celebrated together at Versailles—a great time of worship, fellowship and food! It was a blessing to see so many folks from all four congregations!
HUMANGO (Hamburg UMC’s Annual Golf Outing and Dinner) was a success as well, raising what we budgeted. I was otherwise engaged, but I hear that once again much fun was had by all. Hamburg UMC had the added opportunity to participate in the Hamburg Clergy Alliance’s first “official” multi-church event as well—another picnic! The pastors of Hamburg UMC, Hamburg Presbyterian, St James’ UCC, All Saints Lutheran, and St Matthew’s UCC attended, along with members of the congregations. More fun and fellowship and food!
Sunday September 8 Hamburg UMC will host a celebration dedicating our sanctuary windows, including an expenses-covered catered lunch. I know, I know… the Buffalo Bills home opener is also on the 8th, but we would love to have you join us! If you can, please RSVP as soon as you can to Rollin Shoemaker: rollinshoe@roadrunner.com. If you can’t make that, let him know about Bison’s baseball a couple week’s later (thanks to the Hamburg UMM, there’s no cost for a game and the pizza that precedes it—though the same can’t be said of parking).
I am so glad to continue in ministry with all of you!
Serving the Risen Christ, with you,
Pastor David Nicol
Announcements from the Office
September Staffing Notes
The Church office will be closed on Monday September 2, 2024 in observance of Labor Day
__________
Content for the gathering space slide show is accepted weekly
and due on Wednesday Morning to the church office.
**Please note for repeating slides, the last Sunday it should be run.
Office hours
Monday- Thursday: 9am-2pm
Friday: 9 am-Noon
Email us!!
Pastor David: PastorDavid@hamburgumc.org
Jeannine Vanwey: Music@hamburgumc.org
Emily Slocum: Treasurer@hamburgumc.org
Patrick Fitzgerald: AV@hamburgumc.org
Cristina Glover: Office@hamburgumc.org
CHURCH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
WEDDINGS:
Valerie Mejia and Steven Spaulding – married July 28, 2024
Lindsay Miller and Russell O’Callaghan – married August 2, 2024
Prayers for God’s love to bless them with love and joy for future years.
Churches in Action: Annual Mission for Those in Need
Churches in Action is back with our annual mission to bring comfort and support to those in need. We are collecting new underwear, bras, and socks, and your participation could make a big difference!
How You Can Contribute:
Online Shopping: Visit our Amazon Wish List to select items for donation conveniently.
In-Store Pickup: Organize a group order or pick up new items from Walmart or Target.
Direct Donation: Cash or check donations can be mailed or dropped off at 144 Long Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075. Look for the red bin on the back porch. Please make checks payable to Churches In Action.
Drop-Off Day: Join us on September 29th, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at Trinity Church, 261 East Main St, Hamburg, NY 14075, for the final collection day. The earlier, the better!
If you have any questions, please contact Russell Rich at 716-912-3200 or Hannah Shuttleworth at 716-912-8691.
Your Support Matters!
Together, we can provide comfort and positivity to those in need. Let’s unite for this cause!
Hip Hip Hooray! It’s time for choir again!
Sunday, September 8th, 2024 is our first rehearsal and service of the season. We will sing the hymns on that first Sunday and will begin adding in Anthems the following week.
Our church choir is excited to welcome new voices into our vibrant group of singers. We invite singers of all experience levels to join us in lifting our voices in praise and creating beautiful music together. Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or just enjoy singing in the shower, our choir offers a supportive and joyful environment for all. Bring a friend, relative or neighbor with you!
Rehearsals are held on Sunday mornings from 9:00-9:45, and no audition is required—just a love for music and a desire to contribute. Come be a part of our musical family and enrich our worship services with your unique voice.
We welcome all church and community members to join us in singing on Sunday mornings.
Join us in sharing the gift of song and making a joyful noise unto the Lord!
For questions and clarification, please find Jeannine VanWey after church or send a message to her at vanwey@roadrunner.com or 716-680-3245.
Can’t wait to sing with you all soon.
Ring in the Joy: Join Our Handbell Choir!
Greetings to all Music Makers and Music Appreciators of the HUMC Congregation and community,
Have you ever wondered about the magical sound of handbells? The delicate chime, the rich harmony, and the sheer joy of making music together—these are just a few of the reasons why our Handbell Choir is such a cherished part of our church community. As we approach the new season, we invite you to join us in this wonderful musical ministry!
Why Handbells?
Handbells are more than just instruments; they are a means of expressing faith, joy, and community. Playing in our Handbell Choir offers:
Musical Fulfillment: Whether you’re a seasoned musician or a curious beginner, handbells provide an opportunity to engage with beautiful, intricate music. The experience of ringing and the satisfaction of creating music together is deeply rewarding.
Community Connection: Our Handbell Choir is a close-knit group that values fellowship and teamwork. We support each other both musically and personally, creating lasting friendships along the way.
No Experience Necessary: We will show you how to ring and how to find your notes on the page. You will only get a couple of bells to start with and we will not ask you to do more than you are comfortable with.
What’s Involved?
Playing handbells involves ringing, but also a bit of technique and teamwork. Here’s what you can expect:
Rehearsals: We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:00 in the bell room upstairs from October through May. Our rehearsals are fun and engaging, focusing on learning new pieces and refining our skills.
Commitment: We work with everyone on their vacation and family schedules and have a few substitutes that are willing to step in when a bell player can’t be at a performance.
Skill Level: No prior experience with handbells is necessary! We welcome all levels, and we’ll provide the training and support you need to succeed.
Members: Bell players need not be members of HUMC. Bring your friends, neighbors and family members who are interested. We are a no pressure group and would love to allow you to come and try without any expectation of seeing you every week.
How to Join?
Are you ready to ring in the new season with us? Here’s how you can get involved:
Contact Us: Reach out to Jeannine VanWey after any church service or at 716-680-3245 or vanwey@roadrunner.com for more information or to express your interest.
Come to a Rehearsal: Feel free to drop by one of our rehearsals to observe and see if this is the right fit for you.
Jeannine VanWey
Handbell Choir Director
Hamburg United Methodist Church
Adult Sunday School
John Meader’s Adult Sunday School class will start back up September 8 th .
We will be using a 6-week DVD study called “Everywhere is Jerusalem”.
All are welcome to join the discussion –
9am Sunday mornings in the Parlor.
Little Lamb Begins 2024-2025 School Year
We are excited to welcome 33 children and their families to Little Lamb as another school year begins on Monday, September 9th! You may have noticed the recent construction in the Little Lamb area on the first floor. We appreciate the added security this new construction provides, and our teachers are hard at work transforming the newly renovated space into a cheerful and engaging environment for our little learners.
This year, Lisa Link and Laura Herman will once again be teaching 3-5-year-olds in a multiage classroom. Marcy Koch will also be returning to teach our two-year-olds, with an exciting change this year—our two-year-olds will now attend school two days a week!
We are deeply grateful for the continued support of HUMC. We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who helped spruce up the playground gardens! A special shoutout to Rick Park and the Trustees for overseeing the room renovations and ensuring the playground remains safe for Little Lamb and the community by topping off the play surface mulch.
A very special thank you goes to Dianne Caldwell and Pat Adema, who continue to serve our preschool board as Chairwoman and Church Liaison, respectively. Their years of dedicated service have been a tremendous blessing to our school, and we are incredibly grateful for their ongoing support!
Invitation to Dedication and Blessing of New Sanctuary Stained Glass Windows
Event Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
Location: Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union Street, Hamburg, NY 14075
Arrival Time: 9:30 AM (Media may choose their own arrival and departure times)
Dedication Begins:10:00 AM, led by Rev. David Nicol
Luncheon: Following the church service
Contact Person:
Rollin Shoemaker
Phone: 716-444-5537
Email: rollinshoe@roadrunner.com
Special Guests Invited:
The Mayor of Hamburg Village and Trustees, Hamburg Township Supervisor and Council Members, Swiatek Studios, Ivan Garcia (Architect), Jane Jacobson (Artist), Kirst Construction, District and Conference Representatives, Andrew Kirst (Trustees Chair), and the Church Windows Committee.
Event Coverage:
News coverage is welcomed, and press releases will be sent to local media outlets: WIVB-TV, WGRZ-TV, WKBW-TV, Spectrum-TV, Hamburg Sun, and Buffalo News.
History of Hamburg United Methodist Church
The Methodist Church in the Town of Hamburg began in 1815, with meetings in various homes in the hamlet of Armor. In 1880, the church, known then as the Methodist Episcopal Church, was relocated to Main Street in Hamburg Village. By 1884, a new church was built at 116 Union Street, and in 1927–1928, the current building was constructed on the same property, with an expansion about 20 years ago.
About the Old and New Sanctuary Windows
The original 1927–1928 windows, made of non-colored glass with simple designs, served the sanctuary for 93 years before their deterioration prompted a replacement. In December 2019, the congregation decided to move forward with new windows, forming a committee to oversee the project.
The new stained glass windows were created by Swiatek Studios and artist Jane Jacobson, in collaboration with Lancer Door and Glass, Kirst Construction, and Fontanese Folts Aubrecht Ernst Architects. The congregation opted for modern, clear glass thermal panes on the exterior, with intricately designed stained glass overlays on the interior. The five-year project, funded by a successful campaign, is now complete, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the dedication and blessing of these beautiful new windows, a significant enhancement to our sanctuary and a testament to our community's spirit and generosity.
Please confirm your attendance by email, text, or telephone. We look forward to welcoming you on this special day.
Mark your calendars and join us!
Coffee Hour Schedule September- Men's Group
October- Church Council
November- Trustees & Columbarium
December- Sarah Circle
Medical Equipment Lending Closet
Hamburg UMC has a medical equipment lending closet. It is located in Room 18 in the basement. Please check the closet before purchasing wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, crutches, canes, etc. The equipment available constantly changes. If you have medical equipment you are no longer using, you may donate them. We cannot take soft items such as gauze pads, diabetic supplies, incontinence, bandages, etc. For questions, please call Caroline Schneggenburger at 716-289-0541.
RETIRED MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
After a summer break, the Retired Men’s Fellowship of Hamburg UMC will gather for their monthly lunch on Tuesday, September 17 at 12 Noon at ZJ’s Restaurant in the Hamburg Village Plaza. All retired men are invited. Come and bring a friend for good food and good fellowship.
Any questions? See Dick Caldwell.
Join us for a virtual fellowship! This group is a place to share prayer requests, devotions, concerns, joys, and even some humor with your church family. Join the Hamburg UMC Fellowship group on Facebook.
PRAYER CONCERNS?
If you would like to request prayer for yourself or for someone else you may call Barb Meader at home (number 716-648-1273), call or text her cell (number716-548-4139), or call Cristina at the church office (716-649-8080), and we will add your request to the weekly prayer list. You could also email Barb at Bmeader712017@gmail.com.
“Prayer, Care and Share” is a group of people who have committed to pray every day for requests made. An updated list of requests is emailed to members each Monday. In an emergency, you can call and we will relay the request immediately using our phone chain.
Members also pray daily for and send out cards of encouragement monthly to our homebound members and those living in nursing homes. We send cards to those experiencing lengthy illnesses. On the first Wednesday of each month, PCS meets at church at 10:0am in the library.
James 5:16 says “…Pray for one another”.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
If you would like to be a part of this daily prayer ministry or have questions about it, talk to Barb or another member. If you know of someone in our church family who would appreciate receiving a card of encouragement or get well, please let Barb know.
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